Carrier with center divider



Nov. 14, 1967 A.J. WEISS CARRIER WITH CENTER DIVIDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5 1963 INVENTOR ARTHUR J. UJEl ATTOR NEYS Nov. 14, 1967 A. J. WEISS CARRIER WITH CENTER DIVIDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 5 1963 INVENTOR ARTHUR J. UJEBS ATTORNEYS Nov. 14, 1967 A.J.VVEJSS Filed April 5, 1963 CARRIER WITH CENTER DIVIDER ATTORNEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 14, 1967 A. J. wEJss 3,352,453

CARRIER WITH CENTER DIVIDER Filed April 5 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 U!\ 9| 88 9|! 73 eos" 3 M33 If 88 c r 75 I NVENTOR ARTHUR J. Wmss ATTO 1' Q NEY5 United States Patent 3,352,453 CARRIER WI'IH CENTER DIVIDER Arthur J. Weiss, Bergenfield, N.J., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 5, 1963, Ser. No. 270,837 16 Claims. (Cl. 220-115) This invention relates to a carrier for containers and more particularly to a center divider for separating the container.

It is an object of this invention to provide a carrier for holding a plurality of containers.

A further object of this invention is to provide a divider for the carrier for separating the plurality of containers from each other.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wedgeshaped divider for separating the plurality of containers from each other.

A further object of this invention is to provide a plurality of container-receiving recesses in the wedge-shaped divider.

Another object of this invention is to provide the carrier with a wedge-shaped divider which is formed by folding an inner panel member of a pair of overlapping bottom panels.

A further object of this invention is to provide a wedgeshaped divider for a carrier wherein the divider is comprised of a base portion disposed parallel to the bottom panels and a pair of converging sides tapering toward each other outwardly from the base portion.

A further object of this invention is to provide a unitary blank for a carrier wherein the blank is provided at one end thereof with portions for forming a wedge-shaped divider and with flap receiving openings, and the other end of the blank is provided with a plurality of flaps and tabs in longitudinal alignment 'with the fiap receiving openings.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a blank for forming a carrier wherein the carrier is provided with a wedge-shaped divider which has containerreceiving recesses for holding a plurality of containers in spaced relationship.

Another object of this invention is to provide a moditied form of carrier wherein a wedge-shaped divider comprises an end portion of the inner bottom panel which is reversely folded upon itself.

A further object of this invention is to provide a modifled unitary blank for a carrier wherein the modified blank is provided at one end thereof with portions for forming a wedge-shaped divider part of which is to be reversely folded upon itself, and the one end is further provided with flap receiving openings; the other end of the blank is provided with a plurality of flaps and tabs in longitudinal alignment with the flap receiving openings.

With the above and other objects in view which will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claimed subject matter and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an assembled carrier for a plurality of containers, with the containers omitted for clarity, and shows a novel wedge-shaped divider for separating the containers.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of FIGURE 1 with the containers shown in broken lines, and shows container-receiving recesses in the wedgeshaped divider and in a pair of upstanding side panels.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view taken on line 33 3,352,453 Patented Nov. 14-, 1967 of FIGURE 2 and shows a pair of container-receiving recesses in the wedge-shaped divider.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 1 and shows the wedge-shaped divider formed by a folded portion of an inner bottom panel, and also shows an outer bottom panel with interlocking portions linked with the inner bottom panel.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view and shows a portion of the bottom panel in a partly folded position to illustrate the manner in which the wedge-shaped divider is constructed.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view and shows a portion of the container, similar to FIGURE 5, and illustrates the completed wedge-shaped divider and a flap receiving opening formed in the inner bottom panel.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inner panel and the outer panel and illustrates the positioning of a flap in the flap receiving opening of the inner bottom panel, and also shows a tab on a free end of the outer panel prior to insertion of the tab into the flap receiving opening.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a blank for forming the novel carrier which is illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 7.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of an assembled carrier for a plurality of containers, with the containers omitted for clarity, and shows a modified form of a novel wedge-shaped divider for separating the containers.

FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIGURE 9 with the containers shown in broken lines, and shows container-receiving recesses in the modified wedge-shaped divider and in a pair of upstanding side pane s.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary view taken on line 11-11 of FIGURE 9 and shows a pair of container-receiving recesses in the Wedge-shaped divider.

FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 1212 of FIGURE 9 and shows the wedge-shaped divider formed by a reversely folded portion of an inner bottom panel, and also shows an outer bottom panel with interlocking portions linked with the inner bottom panel. FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary perspective view and shows a portion of the bottom panel in a partly folded position to illustrate the manner in which the modified wedge-shaped divider is constructed.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary perspective view and shows a portion of the container, similar to FIGURE 13 and illustrates the completed wedge-shaped divider and a flap receiving opening formed in the inner bottom panel.

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inner panel and the outer panel and illustrates the positioning of a flap in the flap receiving opening of the inner bottom panel, and also shows a tab on a free end of the outer panel prior to insertion of the tab into the flap receiving opening.

FIGURE 16 is a plan view of a blank for forming the madsified novel carrier which is illustrated in FIGURES Referring to the drawings in detail, there is seen in FIGURE 1 a carrier, generally indicated by the numeral 10, which is constructed from a blank which is generally indicated by the numeral 11 in FIGURE 8. The carrier '10 is of such size as to hold six containers 12 which containers are shown for illustrative purposes as being stubnecked bottles.

The blank 11, as shown in FIGURE 8, comprises a top panel 13, a first side panel 14, a second side panel 15, an inner closure or bottom panel 16, an outer closure or bottom panel 17, and a divider panel 18.

The top panel 13 is separated from the first side panel 14 by an interrupted transverse fold line 19 and is separated from the seCOnd side panel by an interrupted transverse fold line 20.

A plurality of substantially elliptical openings 21 are provided in the top panel 13 for receiving therein the neck portions of the containers 12. A pair of arcuate flaps 22 are formed by arcuate severance lines 23 and are attached to the top panel 13 along fold line 24.

The first side panel 14 is defined by the transverse fold line 19 and an interrupted transverse fold line 25. The fold line 19 is interrupted by a plurality of projection members 26 which are defined by a plurality of severance lines 27 which are transversely spaced on the blank 11. The side panel 14 is provided along the fold line with a plurality of container engaging portions generally designated by the numeral 28. Each of the engaging portions 28 include a pair of flaps 29 which are defined by a weakened arcuate line 30 and a severance line 31. The severance line 31 extends from an end of the weakened line 30 to an arcuate severance line 32 which connects the interrupted portions of the fold line 25. A slit 33 extends longitudinalliy of the blank 11 between the flap 29 and intersecting with the severance lines 32. Each of the engaging portions 28 include a pair of tabs 34 which are defined by the severance lines 31, 32, and the slit 33.

The second side panel 15 is defined by the interrupted transverse fold line 20 and an interrupted transverse fold line 35 transversely spaced along the fold line 35 or a plurality of container engaging portions 36, each of which is in longitudinal alignment with one of the engaging portions 28 in the first side panel 14. Each of the engaging portions 36 is similar to each of the engaging portions 28 and include a pair of flaps 37 which are defined by weakened lines 38 and a severance line 39 which intersects an arcuate severance line 40. A slit 41 extends longitudinally of the blank 11 between the severance lines 39 and intersects with the arcuate severance line to provide a pair of tabs 42 between the flaps 37.

The bottom panel 16 is attached to the second side panel 15 along the interrupted transverse fold line 35 and partially separated therefrom along the arcuate severance lines 40. The bottom panel 16 is separated from the divider panel 18 along an interrupted transverse fold line 43 and a plurality of severance lines 44 which connect between the interrupted portions of fold line 43. The interrupted fold line 43 and the severance lines 44 define a plurality of extension members 45 which are spaced transversely of the blank 11 and are in longitudinal alignment with the engaging portions 28 and 36. Each of the extension members 45 is provided with a flap receiving cut-out 46 which is defined by transverse severance lines 47 and 48 and a pair of oblique severance lines 49 which lie between and connect the severance lines 47 and 48. The bottom panel 16 is also provided with a plurality of projections 50 which are spaced transversely of the blank 11 between the interrupted portions of the fold line 35.

The outer bottom panel 17 is distinguished from the first side panel 14 by the interrupted fold line 25 and the arcuate severance lines 32. The arcuate lines 32 connect adjacent end portions of the interrupted fold lines 25 to define projections 51. The projections 51 are spaced transversely of blank 11 and are in longitudinal alignment with the container engaging portions 28 and 36. An interrupted fold line 52 extends transversely across blank 11 and has severance lines 53 which connect the ends of the interrupted fold line 52 to define a plurality of transversely spaced flaps 54. Each flap 54 has a tab 55 connected integrally thereto along a fold line 56.

The divider panel 18 is disposed alongside of the inner bottom panel 16 and is distinguished therefrom by the interrupted fold line 43 and severance lines 44. A plurality of container-receiving openings 57 are spaced transversely of the blank 11 and are disposed between a first transverse interrupted fold line 58 and a second transverse interrupted fold line 59. Each of the container-receiving openings 57 is defined by a severance line 60 which is colinear with the fold line 58, an arcuate severance line 61 which connects the interrupted portions of the fold line 59, and a pair of curved severance lines 62 which extend generally longitudinally of the blank 11. An end flap 63 is provided between a free edge 64 and the interrupted fold line 59 and includes a plurality of transversely spaced projections 65 which are defined by the arcuate severance line 61.

The manner in which the carrier 10 is erected can best be seen in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7. The blank 11 is folded along the transverse fold lines 43, 58 and 59, as shown in FIGURE 5, such that the extension members 45 may be inserted under the projections 65, as clearly shown in FIG- URE 6. A wedge-shaped member, generally indicated by the numeral 66, has an apex along the fold line 58 and includes a first side member 67 and a second side member 68.

FIGURE 7 shows the outer bottom panel 17 overlying the wedge-shaped member 66 with the flap 54 disposed in the flap receiving opening 46 and underlying the severance line 47. Tab 55 is shown as being .bent along the toldline 56 and is to be inserted into the flap receiving opening 46 so as to underlie the severance line 48.

FIGURES 1, 2 and 4 show the carrier 10 in its fiinally constructed form. Each of the containers 12 is snugly engaged between the container engaging portions 28 and the wedge-shaped member 66 or between the container engaging portions 36 and the wedge-shaped member 66. The wedge-shaped member 66 not only separates adjacent rows of containers 12 but also separates adjacent containers in each row from each other.

FIGURES 9 through 16 show a modified form of carrier 70, similar to the carrier 10 shown in FIGURES 1 through 8, which is constructed from a blank 71 shown in FIGURE 16.

The blank 71 is identical in many respects to the blank 11 and like numerals have been used for like parts.

The blank 71 includes a top panel 13, a first side panel 14, a second side panel '15 and an outer bottom panel 17, all of which are identical to corresponding parts in the blank 11 shown in FIGURE 8. The blank 71 further includes an inner bottom panel 72 and a center divider or Wedge-shaped member, generally indicated by the numeral 73, which has a first side member 74, a second side member 75, and a base forming member or end flap 76.

The inner bottom panel 72 is disposed between the interrupted fold line 35 and an interrupted fold line 77 and extends transversely of the blank 71. The inner bottom panel 72, like the inner bottom panel 16 of FIG- URE 8, is provided with a plurality of transversely spaced flap receiving cut-outs 46. A plurality of projections 78 are transversely spaced at the interrupted portions of the fold line 77 and are defined by a severance line 79.

The first side member 74, of the wedge-shaped member 73, lies between fold line 77 and an interrupted fold line 80 and includes a plurality of transversely spaced struck-out portions which are adjacent to the projections 78 and are defined by the severance lines 79, severance lines 82 which connect the interrupted portions of the 7 fold line 80, and a plurality of arcuate severance lines 83 which connect the severance lines 79 and 82. A pair of flap members 84 having weakened or perforated lines 85 are disposed on each side of each of the struck-out portions 81 and are foldable along the lines 85 to provide container-receiving recesses in the first side member 74 of the wedge-shaped member 73.

The second side member 75 is separated from the first side member 74 by the transverse fold line 80 and is separated from the end flap 76 by an interrupted transverse fold line 86. The ends of the interrupted fold line 86 are joined by a plurality of transversely spaced arcuate severance lines 87 which define projections 88 in the end flap 76. The second side member 75 is provided with a plurality of flaps 88 with one flap 88 adjacent each end of each of the arcuate severance lines 87. Each flap 88 is defined'by a portion of the severance line 87 and an intersecting L-shaped severance line 89 and is foldable along the weakened or perforated line 90. Each of the pair of flaps 88 and a member 91 lying therebetween define container-receiving portions for the second side member 75.

The manipulations of the blank 71 which are necessary to form the wedge-shaped member 73 and to interlock the inner bottom panel 72 and the outer bottom panel 17 are best shown in FIGURES 13, 14 and 15. The base forming member or end flap 76 is reversely folded along the fold line 86 so as to lie fiat against the inner bottom panel 72 thus forming a base for the center divider or wedge-shaped member 73 which has its apex at the fold line 86 and includes the first side member 74 and the second side member 75.

The outer bottom panel 17 is placed in overlying engagement with the inner bottom panel 72, as shown in FIGURE 15, and the flap 54 is placed in the flap re ceiving cut-out 46 so as to underlie the severance line 47. The tab 55 is then folded along the fold line 56 and is inserted in the flap receiving cut-out 46 at the severance line 48 and thereby interlock the outer panel 17 and the inner bottom panel 72.

FIGURES 9, and 12 show various views of the completed carton and best illustrate how the center divider or wedge-shaped member 73 holds the containers 12 in spaced relationship. FIGURE 10 shows one row of containers 12 securely held between the container engaging portions 36 and the'Wedge-shaped member 66 and a second row of containers 12 securely held between the container engaging portions 28 and the wedge-shaped member 66. It will be apparent from the foregoing that there has been provided various forms of the novel carrier and center divider member wherein a plurality of containers may be firmly held in spaced relationship from each other during storage and shipment of the containers. The container receiving portions in the upstanding side panels and the container receiving recesses in the center divider member cooperate to prevent the containers from engaging each other, and in addition, to prevent the outermost containers from becoming inadvertently displaced from the carrier. Also, the top panel of the carrier has been provided with finger-receiving openings so that the carriers may be easily carried.

The various novel carriers and center divider members can be made of paperboard, plastic, heavy paper or other similar material.

While preferred forms and arrangement of parts have been shown in illustrating the invention, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in details and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claimed subject matter.

What I claim is:

1. A carrier for containers comprising top, and bottom panels, said bottom panels comprising an inner panel and an outer panel; a divider for said carrier comprising a substantially wedge-shaped member carried by said inner panel, said member having a plurality of sets of container-receiving recesses therein.

2. A carrier for containers comprising bottom and upstanding side panels, a divider disposed contiguous with and parallel to said bottom and upstanding panel respectively, said divider comprising a substantially wedgeshaped member having upwardly converging sides, said bottom panels comprising an inner panel and an outer panel, flap means on said outer panel, and flap receiving means on said inner panel receiving said flap means to interlock said inner and outer panels.

3. A carrier for containers comprising bottom and upstanding side panels, a divider disposed contiguous with and parallel to said bottom and upstanding panels respectively, said divider comprising a substantially wedge-shaped member having upwardly converging sides,

said bottom panels comprising an inner panel and an outer panel, flap means on said outer panel, flap receiving means on said inner panel receiving said flap means to interlock said inner and outer panels, tab means on said outer panel, said tab means being received by said fiap receiving means.

4. In a carrier, an inner panel and an outer panel; a divider integral with said inner panel, said divider comprising a substantially wedge-shaped member; said member having a portion disposed parallel to said inner and outer panels, and a pair of sides tapering together outwardly from said inner and outer panels.

5. The carrier of claim 4 wherein each of said sides are provided with a plurality of container-receiving recesses.

6. In a carrier, an inner panel and an outer panel; a divider integral with said inner panel, said divider comprising a substantially wedge-shaped member; said member having a portion disposed parallel to said inner and outer panels, and a pair of sides tapering together outwardly from said inner and outer panels, said portion being attached to one of the sides of said pair of sides along a fold line, said portion extending away from said pair of sides and from said inner panel.

7. In a carrier, an inner panel and an outer panel; a divider integral with said inner panel, said divider comprising a substantially Wedge-shaped member; said member having a portion disposed paralled to said inner and outer panels, and a pair of sides tapering together outwardly from said inner and outer panels, said portion being attached to one of the sides of said pair of sides along a fold line, said portion being folded along said fold line to underline said pair of sides.

8. In a carrier, an inner panel and an outer panel; a divider integral with said inner panel, said divider comprising a substantially wedge-shaped member; said member having a portion disposed parallel to said inner and outer panels, and a pair of sides tapering together outwardly from said inner and outer panels, said portion being attached to one of the sides of said pair of sides along a fold line, said portion extending away from said pair of sides and from said inner panel; tab means on an edge of said outer panel, flap means disposed inwardly from said edge, and flap receiving means in said inner panel for receiving said flap means and said tab means for interlock: ing said inner panel and said outer panel.

9. In a carrier, an inner panel and an outer panel; a divider integral with said innerpanel, said divider comprising a substantially wedge-shaped member; said member having a portion disposed parallel to said inner and outer panels, and a .pair of sides tapering together outwardly from said inner and outer panels, said portion being attached to one of the sides of said pair of sides along a fold line, said portion being folded along said fold line to underlie said pair of sides; tab means on an edge of said outer panel, flap means disposed inwardly from said edge, and flap receiving means in said inner panel for receiving said flap means and said tab means for interlocking said inner panel and said outer panel.

10. A blank for a carrier, said blank comprising a first panel, a divider panel and an end flap; a first interrupted fold line separating said first panel from said divider panel, a second interrupted fold line separating said divider panel from said end flap, and a third interrupted fold line separating said divider panel into a first side and a second side; a plurality of transversely spaced cut-outs in said first panel, a plurality of openings in said second side of said divider panel, each of said openings being disposed in longitudinal alignment with a respective one of said plurality of cut-outs.

11. A blank for a carrier, said blank comprising a first panel, a divider panel, and an end flap; a first interrupted fold line separating said first panel from said divider panel, a second interrupted fold line separating said divider panel from said end flap, and a third interrupted fold line separating said divider panel into a first side and a second side; a plurality of transversely spaced cut-outs 1n said first panel, a plurality of openings in said second side of said divider panel, each of said openings being disposed in longitudinal alignment with a respective one of said plurality of cut-outs; said blank including a second panel at the end of said blank opposite from said end flap, said second panel including a plurality of flaps attached thereto in transversely spaced alignment along an interrupted fold line, each of said plurality of flaps including a tab attached thereto along a transverse fold line; each of said plurality of flaps and each tab being disposed in longitudinal alignment with a respective one of said cut-outs in said first panel.

12. A blank for a carrier, said blank comprising a first panel, a divider panel and an end fiap; a first interrupted fold line separating said first panel from said divider panel, a second interrupted fold line separating said divider panel from said end fiap, and a third interrupted fold line separating said divider panel into a first side and a second side; a plurality of transversely spaced cut-outs in said first panel, a plurality of projection members on said first panel transversely spaced along said first interrupted fold line, said first side of said divider panel having a struck-out portion adjacent to each of said projection members and a pair of flap members disposed about each struck-out portion.

13. A blank for a carrier, said blank comprising a first panel, a divider panel and an end flap; a first interrupted fold line separating said first panel from said divider panel, a second interrupted fold line separating said divider panel from said end flap, and a third interrupted fold line separating said divider panel into a first side and a second side; a plurality of transversely spaced cut-outs in said first panel, a plurality of projection members on said first panel transversely spaced along said first interrupted fold line, said first side of said divider panel having a struck-out portion adjacent to each of said projection members and a pair of flap members disposed about each struck-out portion; said blank including a second panel at the end of said blank opposite from said end flap, said second panel including a plurality of flaps attached thereto in transversely spaced alignment along an inter rupted fold line, each of said plurality of flaps including a tab attached thereto along a transverse fold line; each of said plurality of flaps and each tab being disposed in longitudinal alignment with a respective one of said cut-outs in said first panel.

14. A blank for a carrier, said blank comprising a first panel, a divider panel and an end fiap; a first interrupted fold line separating said first panel from said divider panel, a second interrupted fold line separating said divider panel from said end flap, and a third interrupted fold line separating said divider panel into a first side and a second side; a plurality of transversely spaced cut-outs in said first panel, a plurality of openings in one of said sides of said divider panel, each of said openings being disposed in longitudinal alignment with a respective one of said plurality of cut-outs.

15. An open end generally rectangular sleeve-type carton, formed from a unitary blank of foldable'paperboard, for holding two parallel, opposing rows of gen-' erally cylindrical articles in side-by-side relation, comprising opposing pairs of spaced walls hingedly interconnected to define a tubular structure and sides of the articles, one of the walls enclosing the ends of the articles being formed by a pair of generally co -plannar panels, said anels having corresponding outboard end portions hingedly connected to respective adjacent walls of the carton, said panels having inboard end portions interconnected and arranged to form a longitudinally disposed center retaining member extending inwardly into the carton between the two rows of articles, said member including a pair of relatively thin outwardly diverging strips inclined with respect to said one wall and having a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings for receiving end portions of the articles to restrict their movement relative to said one wall of the carton, the diverging strips of said center retaining member being formed from the inboard end portion of one of said one wall panels.

16. An open end generally rectangular sleeve-type carton, formed from a unitary blank of foldable paperboard, for holding two parallel, opposing rows of generally cylindrical articles in side-by-side relation, comprising opposing pairs of spaced Walls hingedly interconnected to define a tubular structure enclosing the ends and sides of the articles, one of the walls enclosing the ends of the articles being formed by a pair of generally coplanar panels, said panels having corresponding outboard end portions hingedly connected to respective adjacent walls of the carton, said panels having inboard end portions interconnected and arranged to form a longitudinally disposed center retaining member extending inwardly into the carton between the two rows of articles, said member including a pair of relatively thin outwardly diverging strips inclined with respect to said one wall and having a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings for receiving end portions of the articles to restrict their movement relative to said one wall of the carton, said diverging strips being hinged to each other and to the inboard edge of one of said one wall panels, and said panels being secured to each other in overlapped relationship.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,877,894 3/1959 Forrer 206- 2,950,041 8/ 1960 Stone 20665 3,081,928 3/ 1963 Chidsey et a1 229-40 FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner.

EARLE J. DRUMMOND, Examiner.

enclosing the ends 

1. A CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS COMPRISING TOP, AND BOTTOM PANELS, SAID BOTTOM PANELS COMPRISING AN INNER PANEL AND AN OUTER PANEL; A DIVIDER FOR SAID CARRIER COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY WEDGE-SHAPED MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID INNER PANEL, SAID MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF SETS OF CONTAINER-RECEIVING RECESSES THEREIN. 